Queensland to relax helmet laws for religious

The State Government announced it will make a helmet exemption for cyclists whose religion requires them to wear headress.

Last month Brisbane man Jasdeep Atwal successfully challenged a fine for not wearing a helmet - because his religion requires him to wear a turban.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson, who made the announcement on 612 ABC Brisbane's breakfast program, said only cyclists with genuine religious beliefs will be excused.

"They will need to demonstrate, if they're, you know they just can't wrap a towel around their heads go ride a bike and claim that's exemption from wearing a helmet, this is for genuine religious beliefs and for genuine religious exemptions."

Minister Emerson said the new laws which are expected to be in place by the end of the year will bring Queensland in line with the road rules in place for cyclists in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

"I've been looking at it for some time, these exemptions have been in place in other states for some years.

Minister Emerson said that those covered by the exemption can make the choice based on their religion, knowing the risks of not wearing a helmet.

"I think it is sensible to have religious exemptions," he said, "but I do make the point that helmets do provide real protection and the evidence is clear that wearing a helmet does reduce the incidence of serious head injuries."

Mr Atwal said the Sikh community have been lobbying for an exemption for long time.

"I was the public figure my case went to court I was in the media but the fact is the Sikh community has been working for a long long time on this and they have done a lot of work on this I was just the face of the cause."

Mr Atwal said in the Sikh religion men have to wear a turban because it was mandated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs.

Minister Emerson said wearing a helmet remains compulsory for any other cyclists who don't have an exemption.

"The penalty for failing to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle being a $110 on-the-spot fine," he said.

"The safety of everyone on our roads is paramount, so I ask cyclists and motorists alike to use common sense and follow road rules while using our roads."

Helmet exemptions apply to bicycles only and anyone riding a motorcycle or scooter/moped must still wear a helmet.